A fascinating tour celebrating the cradle of rice cultivation in the Vercelli area, Italy, and Europe—an immersive journey through the Cellule Museali delle Terre d’Acqua (Museum Cells of the Lands of Water), timed to coincide with three historic anniversaries:
- 160 years since the inauguration of the Cavour Canal, the remarkable feat of hydraulic engineering that transformed the Vercelli area into the rice capital of Europe.
- 120 years since the achievement of the 8-hour workday for the Mondine (rice-harvesters): the first major victory of its kind in Italy and an extraordinary step toward emancipation that foreshadowed the development of the entire labor market in our country.
- 80 years since the selection of Arborio rice, the variety that has placed the Vercelli area at the forefront of innovation and research in the field of agronomy.
160+120+80 = 360° of perspective on a world that has much to tell and ever-new horizons to discover.
As we journey through time, we’ll visit three iconic sites that will reveal the deep-rooted history of this region and its people, as well as the engineering feats that have shaped its transformation.
- 120 Years of the 8-Hour Conquest – We’ll kick off the tour with a memorable stop at the Colombara Estate to visit the Ecomuseum of the Terre d’Acqua, with its immersive reconstruction of life on agricultural estates and its extraordinary Dormitory of the Mondine.
A moving testament to the lives of generations who, through their sacrifices and dedication, paved the way toward a different future. - 80 Years of Arborio Rice – We’ll continue on to Cascina Oschiena, where you’ll have the chance to experience rice cultivation firsthand as part of a project that, while honoring tradition, is at the forefront of preserving both the product and the environment.
- A Tasting Break – Along the way, we’ll stop in the picturesque village of Asigliano, where we’ll soak up the enchanting atmosphere of its rural park, sample a local dish, and experience the excitement and adrenaline of the traditional Corsa dei Buoi (Ox Race) while visiting the dedicated museum.
- 160 Years of the Cavour Canal – To wrap up the day, we’ll return to Vercelli and visit the prestigious and elegant headquarters of the Associazione Irrigazione Ovest-Sesia, which since 1853 has safeguarded and managed the water, whichis the lifeblood of the region, in a captivating blend of elegant interiors and multimedia installations.
At the end of the tour, the day will conclude with free time to continue exploring the city center on your own, which is coming alive with Risò—the International Rice Festival—its Village, its pavilions, and its events.
Transportation: GT buses from Vercelli, Turin, and Milan
Time and meeting point:
- Vercelli: 10:00 a.m. – in front of the train station
- Turin: 8:30 a.m. – Corso Bolzano
- Milan: 8:30 a.m. – Lampugnano Bus Terminal (MM1 Red Line), Via G. Natta
Scheduled return: For Turin and Milan, departure from Vercelli at 7:00 p.m.
Includes:
- GT bus
- Licensed guide
- Rice tasting
- Admission fees